Sporting KC’s Soony Saad to remain with Lebanon for World Cup qualifiers

Buoyed by his goal-scoring performance in his debut for the Lebanese national team, Sporting KC forward Soony Saad, 20, was held over for two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Korea on June 4 in Lebanon and at Iran on June 11 in Tehran.

Sporting Kansas City forward Soony Saad made an immediate impact with the Lebanon men’s national team, scoring a goal Wednesday in a 1-1 draw with Oman during an exhibition that was played in Qatar.

Buoyed by that performance in his debut with Lebanon, Saad, 20, was held over for two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches — against South Korea on June 4 in Lebanon and at Iran on June 11 in Tehran.

Saad, who has a goal and two assists in 21 appearances since joining Sporting KC via weighted lottery midway through the 2011 season, obviously won’t be available for tonight’ match against the Montreal Impact.

Defender Matt Besler and midfielder Graham Zusi won’t be available either, as both are on the U.S. men’s national-team roster. Rookie midfielder Mikey Lopez left Wednesday for France where he joined the U.S. under-20 men ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this month.